Device for handling live electric wires.



PATENTED JUNE16, 1903.

B. WILBUR.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING LIVE ELECTRIC WIRES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

WIINESSE :v

THE Noam PEYERS cc, wars-urns" msmumou, ac,

13 rock toward and from each other for engagin g or releasing the wire which may be interposed between the jaws.

In the operation of gripping a wire the device is usually held by the handle 1, with the head and gripping-jaws downwardly, and the cross-head 9 and connections with the jaws 3 operate to open the jaws by gravity; but in order that this opening movement of the jaws may be positive I provide a spring 15 at the opposite face of the head, said spring having one end secured to the flange 10 of the cross-head, and its other end is attached to an eye 16, which is secured to the head in proximity to its free-end edge. The means for closing the. jaws preferably consists of the cable 4, which is connected to the jaws 3 through the medium of the cross-head 9 and links 14, said cable being movable lengthwise through the central opening 5 in the handie and extends a considerable distance beyond the upper end of the handle, so that when the jaws are firmly gripped upon the wire the whole device, together with the wire, may be drawn up tightly and the surplus end of the cable may be tied to any convenientsupportas, for instance, atelegraph-pole or treeso as to suspend the wire overhead remote from the line of travel of 'thecars or pedestrians. In order that the jaws may be held in their closed or gripping position upon the wire, I provide the upper end of the handle 1 with gripping members 17 which are formed with serrated gripping faces 18 and are movable in inclined guides or slots 19 in the handle, said gripping members being provided with hand engaging portions 20, by means of which the gripping members may be moved endwise in their respective guides into'and out of engagement with the cable l. These gripping members 17 are provided with lengthwise slots 21, which receive guide-pins 22, secured to the handle 1, said guide-pins preventing the displacement or removal of the gripping members.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device for handling live electric Wires comprising a handle of insulating material having a lengthwise opening therethrough from end to end, a head secured to one end of the handle, jaws pivotally mounted on the head and having eccentric engaging faces for gripping and holding the wire, means for openin gthe j aws,and additionalmeans passed through the opening in the handle and con nected to the jaws to close the same.

2. A device for handling live electric wires from end to end, a head secured to one end of the handle, jaws on the head for gripping and holding the wire, and a flexible cable passed through the handle and having one end connected to the jaws and its other end adapt-ed to be engaged by the operator where by the cable may be drawn through the opening to close the jaws and its free end secured to a fixed support.

3. A device for handling live electric wires comprising a handle of insulating material having a lengthwise opening therethrough, a head secured to one end of the handle and provided with a lengthwise guide, a crosshead slidable along the guide, jaws connected to and operated by the cross-head to open and close the jaws, means to move the crosshead in one direction to open the jaws, and a flexible cable of insulating material movable in the opening of the handle and connected to close the jaws.

4. A device for handling live electric wires comprising a handle of insulating material having a lengthwise opening therethrough, a head secured to one end of the handle and provided with a lengthwise guide, a crosshead slidable along the guide, jaws connected to and operated by the cross-head to open and close the jaws, a spring connected and operating to open the jaws, and a flexible cable of insulating material guided in the opening of the handle and connected to close the aws.

5. A device for handling live electric wires comprising a handle of insulating material, jaws connected to the handle to grip the wire and a cable of insulating material connected to close the jaws for the purpose described,

and movable means to grip and hold the cable when the jaws are closed. v

6. A device for handling live electricwires comprising a handle of insulating material having a lengthwise opening therethrough, a head secured to one end of the handle, jaws on the head for gripping and holding the wire, a cable of insulating material guided in the opening in the handle and connected to close the jaws, and means to grip and hold the cable when the jaws are closed.

7; A device for handling live electric wires comprising a handle of insulating material having a lengthwise opening therethrough, a head secured to one end of the handle, jaws pivotally mounted in the head and provided with eccentric engaging faces, a. slidable cross-head mounted on the former head and connected to open and close the jaws, a spring connected to open the jaws, a flexible cable passed through the opening in the handle and having one end connected to the cross-head to operate the same to close the jaws, and means mounted on the other end of the handle to grip and hold the cable when the jaws are closed. comprising a handle of insulating material having a lengthwise opening therethrough In witness whereof I have hereunto setmy hand this 31st day of January, 1903.

BURT NVILBUR.

\Vitnesses:

H. E. CHASE, MILDRED M. Now. 

